June 26, 2012

Taking the helm: Zender to be new editor of K-Stater magazine

A development communications coordinator at the Kansas State University Foundation, Andrew Zender, will be the new editor of the K-Stater magazine for the K-State Alumni Association, effective July 10.

Zender will oversee the quarterly magazine's conception, planning, content research and annual budget, said Linda Cook, the alumni association's assistant vice president for communications. In addition to writing and copy editing editorial content, Zender also will coordinate assignments with freelance writers, photographers and illustrators. He replaces Tim Lindemuth, who retires June 30 from the same position after 19 years.

"The K-Stater magazine is recognized by our members as a valued benefit," Cook said. "Andrew's talent in writing, his extensive communications experience and his passion for K-State will further enhance the magazine and the service we provide to alumni, faculty and friends."

Zender, who will be the magazine's ninth editor, is a 2005 K-State graduate in advertising and Spanish. He also participated in the university's study abroad program in 2002 at the Universidad de Malaga in Ronda, Spain.

After graduation, he was the director of marketing and communications at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Mo., from 2006 to 2009. Zender was appointed communications coordinator for the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland at College Park from 2009 to 2011.

The desire to return to his Kansas roots brought him to the KSU Foundation, where he wrote news and features articles for the Good for K-State magazine, among other communications duties. Zender also has written professionally for the K-Stater magazine, Manhattan Magazine, JazzTimes.com, PopMatters.com and Jam, the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors magazine.

Raised in Leawood, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo., Zender was active as a K-State student in Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa academic honorary society.